Have you seen that video yet about the 16-year old girl that secretly taped her father beating her with a belt for 8 minutes? Me neither. Actually, I watched the first 30 seconds. I couldn't make myself go on. But here's an article that will fill you in on the details: click here. And it's not just the beating that's horrifying, but him screaming at her that he's going to beat her "into submission" and her mother telling her to turn over and take it like a woman. Yeah. She said that. Oh, and did I mention that he's a judge that has ruled in child abuse cases? And that the girl is now 23 and there is only a 5 year statute of limitations on child abuse cases?
I don't know why this particular story has me so mad, but I AM STEAMED. It's probably a combination of things, but that's not where I'm going with this. I'm not just mad at this idiot. I'm mad at ALL the idiots. Men (and women) are getting away with this everyday. And so many think they can get away with it or that there's nothing wrong with it. There is some discussion in the article about the fine line between discipline and abuse. Well, let me help clear it up.
THIS WAS WRONG. THIS WAS ABUSE.
I don't give two shits about the people belly-aching that child abuse laws are too strict, or that they're afraid to discipline their children. If you use half a brain, you'll be fine!! What's more I don't care who this offends anymore. I'm sick of the ignorance. Both people being ignorant about the effects of abuse and thinking that they are entitled to handing out this kind of degrading punishment and the people who just don't seem to care, even if they don't abuse their children.
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| We have to work together! |
Survivors of any kind of abuse, I'm begging you to find your voice. Speak up. We have to do something to help the next generation and the generation after that. I know I'm asking a lot. I know a lot of you have never told anyone what you've been through. I know a lot of you have "dealt with it" and don't see any reason to revisit your past in anyway. I get that. I really do. But look into the eyes of a child. There's your reason.
Can you imagine the impact if every man and woman who was abused as a child stood up and shared their story? What if we all worked together for harsher sentences for child abuses? What if we worked together to prevent child abuse? What if we worked together to educate our communities on how they can prevent child abuse and what signs to look for in children that may be being abused?
Please, help me help our future children. There are a lot of good people and organizations out there that you can get involved with. Volunteer for them. Donate money to keep nonprofits running. Be open and honest about your story. And seek help for yourself.
I'm sorry for the angry tone of this post, but I'm not sorry for anything I said in it. Something has got to give. If you have any ideas on how we can get a lot of people to have their voice heard all across the country to really get something started, by all means, let me know. I'm not saying I have the answers, but I do see some problems.
Thank you.
Rachel
My problem is that I always want to help and be heard, I just don't know how. Honestly, I don't seem to be very good at finding the places to volunteer or donate, or who/what to tell of my story. Because of my story I'm filled with a lot of fear and anxiety. I am constantly afraid in life, of everything and everyone. Any suggestions on what I can do or where to go to help?
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that's how a lot of people feel. Because of the affects of the abuse, many of us are still being held captive in some way. :-( I would say maybe start an anonymous blog somewhere. Or start with one person. Tell them. Then find another person, and another...I don't have the answer, I'm sorry. :-( Also, I know exactly how you feel.
ReplyDeleteThat does help though. Thanks. ^_^
ReplyDeleteWe ALL need to stand up. Earlier this week, I witnessed a teen boy with serious anger management issues verbally abusing his girlfriend on the train. At first it literally looked like he was mugging her. I was staring him down, as well as an elderly woman, hoping it would calm things down. Eventually, he cussed us both out without a care. There were men on the train watching, who didn't do a thing. I wished I had been 300 lbs. and 7 ft. so I could at least talk to him at that time. He was too angry at that point to have listened without getting violent. I couldn't even have slipped the poor girl a note or anything. She ran away from him once the train stopped. He called his friend a liar for not knowing where she went. My heart broke for that girl, and for his anger and control over the girl, accusing her of being terrible. I had to live with someone who was verbally and emotionally abusive. I don't know how that girl can see she's worthy of a healthy relationship, or how she can get out free and safely. I've been praying throughout the week. I just wish our society CARED enough, if ENOUGH people on that train stood up to protect that girl...it's not fair and it angers me so much.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it!! Why the heck doesn't our society care? We are a PART of society!!
ReplyDelete